Associate Professor of Biological Sciences & Environmental Conservation, Clemson University
Michael Childress, Ph.D., is an evolutionary behavioral ecologist studying the impact of climate change and behavioral adaptations in marine animals. His research has explored the impacts of (1) mass sponge mortality on the social behaviors of juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters, (2) drought on blue crab habitat use and disease, and (3) marine heat waves on the interactions between coral health and coral reef fishes. He teaches courses in marine ecology and climate sustainability and supervises a marine science research program for graduate and undergraduate science divers in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He created a marine science - musical theatre STEAM program called Something Very Fishy to engage elementary school children in the wonders of our oceans and to raise awareness and interests in marine conservation.